The UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour Award was created by the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (UNCHS) in 1989 to encourage and recognize the countries , governments , organizations , and individuals who have made great contributions to the development of housing .[ 1] It is the most prestigious human settlements award in the world by the United Nations, given by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), and has recognized 192 initiatives since its launch in 1989.
UN-Habitat Scroll of Honor Award
The aim of the award is to honour and acknowledge initiatives which have made outstanding contributions in the field of human settlements, provision of housing, highlighting the plight of people living in poverty or who have been displaced, developing, and improving human settlements and the quality of urban life to leave no one behind echoing the Sustainable Development Goals 2030 with emphasis on Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities .
The award, a plaque engraved with the name of the winner, is handed over at the Global Observance of the World Habitat Day , the day the United Nations has set aside to remind the world that we all have the power and the responsibility to reflect on the state of our cities and towns and to shape the future. World Habitat Day was established in 1985 by the United Nations General Assembly through Resolution 40/202 and was first celebrated in 1986.[ 2]
Individuals, organizations, the private sector, government, non-governmental, bilateral and multi-lateral aid agencies dealing with sustainable projects which have had great impact in society, and any Habitat Agenda partner who has improved the lives of people can be nominated for the UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour.
A Committee comprising from UN-Habitat experts and senior management makes the initial assessment of the nominations and submissions of the candidates and verify that the submission conforms to the standards outlined in the guidelines. After strict reviewing and screening materials of all the candidates, the United Nations Human Settlements Programme chooses the winners. In the past, every year the number of awards by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme depends, generally below ten. Since 2018 only five winners, ideally from each Region of the world, are selected. Past winners are outstanding in the international, regional or national level of human living and have extensive influences. On every World Habitat Day, the United Nations Human Settlements Programme will hold the award ceremony in a prior selected city.
Each year, the United Nations Human Settlements Programme receives a large number of projects nominated by governments after selection. Recommended candidates can be government organizations or agencies, individuals, or projects, and initiatives can address any aspects of human settlements, such as housing, infrastructure, urban renewal, sustainable human settlements development, or post-disaster reconstruction.[ 3]
Awards were given to the following:[ 4]
Winner
Awarded For
Country
Fundación Pro Empleo Productivo A.C.
"For developing training programmes that promote job creation and improve economic productivity in cities"
Mexico
Dubai Municipality
"For establishing and implementing the Fat, Oil and Grease Waste Recycling Programme (FOG) to deal with waste material from the hospitality industry"
United Arab Emirates
FICA (Fundo Imobiliário Comunitário para Alaguel)
"For its action devoted to fighting housing speculation and gentrification in central areas of three major cities in Brazil"
Brazil
Assembleia de Moradores
"For creating city wide social, economic and environmental development solutions for all residents through facilitating relations between the City of Braga, the municipal housing company and the social housing beneficiaries of the City of Braga"
Portugal
EcoVironment
"For tackling the critical issue of plastic pollution and its detrimental impact on the urban environment"
Sierra Leone
Awards were given to the following:[ 5]
Winner
Awarded For
Country
The 15'min City global initiative
"For offering a compelling model of sustainable urban development"
Global
Mr. Stanley Anigbogu
"For pioneering simple technology to recycle waste and create energy for marginalized communities"
Nigeria
Ms. Dipti Mahapatro, Bhubaneswar
"For leadership in transforming a mass rapid transit system to make it inclusive and accessible"
India
Programa Parceria, Recife
"For efforts in reducing disaster risks, enhancing resilience and improving infrastructure in favelas"
Brazil
URBAN Intergroup of the European Parliament
"For enabling legislation, policies, and finance for sustainable urban development"
European Parliament
Awards were given to the following:[ 6]
Winner
Awarded For
Country
New Urban Communities Authority (NUCA)
"Its role in providing safe, affordable social housing projects in Egypt"
Egypt
Shining Hope for Communities (SHOFCO)
"Being a leading example of a community-led change to eradicate extreme poverty in Kenya’s urban slums"
Kenya
Baoji City
"Its innovative housing provision project benefiting low and middle-income residents in Baoji City"
China
Let's Do It! World (LDIW)
"For organizing three World Cleanup Days (WCD) to tackle the global waste crisis and reduce carbon emissions"
Estonia
Ciudad Emergente (CEM)
"Its innovative approach on piloting a Shared Streets concept (Calles Compartidas) for low carbon cities"
Chile
Awards were given to the following:[ 7]
Winner
Awarded For
Country
Upcycle Africa
"Transforming lives through affordable housing provision, waste education and job opportunities"
Uganda
Subang Jaya Municipal Council
"Its holistic and integrated approach to affordable housing and community empowerment"
Malaysia
Community Impact Nepal, Kathmandu
"Empowering entrepreneurs to produce eco-friendly constructions for families in substandard housing"
Nepal
Ministry of Housing and Cities
"Its leadership in the development of an urban policy that promotes sustainable housing and cities putting housing at the centre"
Colombia
ECOCASA
"Addressing energy efficient construction standards for housing, facilitating inclusive access to financial mechanisms and creating decent homes"
Mexico
Awards were given to the following:[ 8]
Winner
Awarded For
Country
Xuzhou City, Jiangsu Province
"Promoting holistic and broad-based approaches to ecological restoration through intelligent waste-management"
China
National Action Plan for the Implementation of the New Urban Agenda in Cuba 2017-2036: Institute of Physical Planning
"Implementing positive urban and territorial change through the integration and implementation of the principles of the New Urban Agenda"
Cuba
Tri Rismaharini , Mayor of Surabaya City
"Implementing people-centred and inclusive city regeneration and development initiatives prioritizing low income residents to ensure they are not left behind"
Indonesia
Isaac 'Kaka' Muasa, Chairman of Mathare Environmental Conservation Youth Group
"Harnessing the potential of disadvantaged youth and inspiring community-wide involvement in solid waste management"
Kenya
Presented Posthumously in Memory of Dr. Mona A. Serageldin (1938 – 2018), Vice President: Institute for International Urban Development (I2UD) (2005 – 2018)
"Promoting practical research-based approaches to address a broad spectrum of development challenges in a wide range of settings"
United States
Awards were given to the following:[ 9]
Winner
Awarded For
Country
UPP Social Programme (Municipality of Rio de Janeiro)
"Advancing the promotion of urban, social and economic development in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro"
Brazil
People's Government of Shouguang
"Improvements in infrastructure, transport and traffic systems"
China
Ministry of Urban Development and Construction of Ethiopia
"Its groundbreaking Cobblestone - Youth Job Creation Initiative"
Ethiopia
Suwon
"Its citizen-initiated governance and participatory urban planning and budgeting"
Korea
Community-Led Infrastructure Finance Facility
"Enabling organizations of the urban poor to access greater resources"
United Kingdom
Awards were given to the following:[ 10]
Winner
Awarded For
Country
The São Paulo Slum Upgrading Programme of the Municipal Housing Secretariat (SEHAB)
"Implementing one of the largest slum upgrading project in Brazil"
Brazil
The Special Council Support Fund for Mutual Assistance (FEICOM)
"Assisting municipalities in achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), including efforts on clean water, access to education and health facilities"
Cameroon
Anji County
"Transforming Anji city into one of the world's greenest cities"
China
Olusegun Mimiko , Governor of Ondo State
"The drive to reduce urban poverty and make Ondo the best-run State in the country."
Nigeria
Muchadeyi Masunda , Mayor of Harare
"10 years charismatic leadership and courageous promotion of ethical governance in a city stressed by socio-economic, political and service delivery problems"
Zimbabwe
Awards were given to:[ 11]
The award recipients came from diverse backgrounds and contents:[ 12]
Winner
Country
Peter Oberlander
Canada
Un Techo Para Mi Pais
Chile
Rizhao Municipal Government
China
CEMEX
Mexico
The city of Grozny
Russia
The Saudi Al-Medina Al Munawarah Local Urban Observatory
Saudi Arabia
The Seoul Metropolitan Government (Special Citation)
Republic of Korea
Jan Peterson of Huairou Commission
United States of America
The Alexandra Renewal Project
South Africa
The City of Malmö
Sweden
Uganda Women's Efforts to Save Children (UWESO)
Uganda
Neal Peirce, Journalist
United States of America
Winner
Country
Nanjing Municipal Government (Special Citation)
China
The ancient canal city of Shaoxing in Zhejiang Province
China
The bustling port city of Zhangjiagang in Jiangsu Province
China
The City of Bugulma in the Tatarstan Republic of Western Russia
Russia
The Capital of Rwanda, Kigali
Rwanda
Ciudad Juarez , a major Mexican city on the United States border
Mexico
Winner
Country
The Nanning Municipal People's Government
China
Eusebio Leal Spengler, Historian of the City of Havana
Cuba
The Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies
The Netherlands
Lieutenant-General Nadeem Ahmed, Deputy Chairman, Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority
Pakistan
The Palestinian Housing Council (PHC)
Palestinian National Authority
Russia, the Stavropol City Administration's project
Russian Federation
The Mwanza Rural Housing Programme
United Republic of Tanzania
Winner
Country
The National Cities Conference Programme, Ministry of Cities
Brazil
The Yangzhou Municipal People's Government
China
The French firm Veolia Environment
France
The Government of Alexandria
Egypt
Cardinal Renato Martino, President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace
Italy
Pag IBIG Fund
The Philippines
Federation Yaroslavl City Administration
Russian Federation
H.H. Shaikh Khalifa Bin Salman Al-Khalifa (Special Citation), The Prime Minister of The Kingdom of Bahrain
Kingdom of Bahrain
Winner
Country
Rose Molokoane
South Africa
The Municipality of Kazan City
Russia
Sarvodaya Shramandana Movement
Sri Lanka
Professor Johan Silas
Indonesia
Jakarta Metropolitan City
Indonesia
North Sumatra Governor Tengku Rizal Nurdin (posthumous)
Indonesia
King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden (Special Citation)
Sweden
Winner
Country
Margaret Catley-Carlson
Canada
Weihai Municipal Government
China
German Garcia Duran
Colombia
Nasreen Mustafa Sideek
Iraq
Pamoja Trust
Kenya
Sankie D. Mthembi-Mahanyele
South Africa
Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council
Switzerland
Zena Daysh , Commonwealth Human Ecology Council
UK
Teolinda Bolivar
Venezuela
His Majesty Bhumibol Adulyadej , the King of Thailand (Special Citation)
Thailand
Winner
Country
Motivation
City-to-City cooperation between Nakuru, Kenya and Leuven
Belgium
"For their multifaceted City-to-City Cooperation on sustainable Urban Development."
Brazilian Institute of Municipal Administration
Brazil
"For its continuous support to local government development through training on municipal and urban issues."
Baotou Municipal Government
China
"For outstanding improvements in shelter and the urban environment and successful cooperation with other Chinese cities."
CITYNET based in Yokohama
Japan
"for playing a key role in facilitating C2C and networking amongst local governments, NGOs and development agencies in Asia."
Dutch Habitat Platform
The Netherlands
"for coordinating the Habitat Agenda and linking municipalities in the Netherlands with their partners in developing countries."
Mayor Joan Clos
Spain
"for his outstanding commitment and contribution to global cooperation between local authorities and the United Nations."
ENDA Tiers Monde, Dakar
Senegal
"for promoting alternative development options at local level, reducing poverty and advocating housing rights."
René Frank
USA
"for his dedication to low-cost housing as a leading member of the International Real Estate Federation (FIABCI)."
John Hodges (Special Citation)
United Kingdom
"for his contribution to poverty elimination and sustainable urban development in South Asia and sub-Saharian Africa."
Winner
Country
Hangzhou Municipal Government
China
Pastora Nuez Gonzalez
Cuba
Bremer Beginenhof Modell
Germany
Fukuoka City
Japan
Father Pedro Opeka
Madagascar
Centre on Housing Rights and Eviction
Switzerland
Television Trust for the Environment (TVE), UK Asiaweek Magazine
UK
The Cooperating Committee for Japan Habitat Fukuoka Office (Special Citation)
Japan
Winner
Country
Ana Vasilache
Romania
Caroline Pezzullo
USA
Jacqueline daCosta
Jamaica
Women and Peace Network
Costa Rica
Mary Jane Ortega
Philippines
International Union of Local Authorities
based in the Netherlands
Sheela Patel
India
Charles N. Keenja
Tanzania
Mmatshilo Motsei
South Africa
Winner
Country
Programa de Mobilizaco de Comunidades
Brazil
Fu-Nan River Comprehensive Revitalization Project
Chengdu, China
Mayor Mu Suixin, Mayor of Shenyang
China
Forum Européene pour la Sécurité Urbaine
France
Prof. Akin L. Mabogunje
Nigeria
Valdimir A. Kudryavtsev
Russia
Association des Habitants del Mourouje
Tunisia
Winner
Country
Sen. Oscar Lopez Velarde Vega
Mexico
Mother Center Stuttgart
West Germany
South African Homeless Peoples Federation
South Africa
Mayor Huang Ziqiang
China
Reinhard Goethert and Nabeel Hamdi
USA/United Kingdom
Federation of Canadian Municipalities
Canada
Peter Elderfield (Special Citation)
United Kingdom
Radinal Moochtar, Minister of Public Works (Special Citation)
Indonesia
Winner
Country
Hou Jie, Minister of Construction (Special Citation)
China
Peter Kimm (Special Citation)
USA
Mohamed Hashi , Mayor of Hargeisa
Somalia
The late Sidhijai Tanphiphat
Thailand
Ministry of Local Government and Housing
Zambia
The SISCAT Group
Bolivia
Jnos SZAB
Budapest
Winner
Country
Comunidades Programme State Government of Cear
Brazil
Foundation in Support of Local Democracy
Poland
Urban Community Development Office
Thailand
Gangadhar Rao Dattatri
India
Projet de Taza, Agence Nationale de lute contre l'Habitat Insalubre (ANHI)
Morocco
La cooprative des veuves de Save Duhozanye
Rwanda
Shanghai Municipal Housing Project
China
Joe Slovo (deceased)
South Africa
Winner
Country
Qassim Sultan
United Arab Emirates
Bank Tabungan Negara (State Housing Bank of Indonesia)
Indonesia
Programme dHabitat Cooperatif
Senegal
Jorge E. Hardoy (deceased)
Argentina
Housing Development Administration
Turkey
Winner
Country
Cités Unies Development
France
Build Together Programme
Namibia
Anthony Williams Bullard
United Kingdom
Winner
Country
Intermediate Technology Development Group
United Kingdom
Shenzhen Housing Bureau
China
Habitat International Coalition
Mexico
East Wahdat Upgrading Project
Jordan
Earthquake Emergency Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Programme
Nepal
Rural Housing Reconstruction with Appropriate Technologies
Ecuador
Namuwongo Upgrading and Low-Cost Housing
Uganda
New Urban Communities in Egypt
Egypt
World Relief El Salvador Housing Reconstruction Project
El Salvador
Woodless Construction Project
Niger
Laurie Baker
India
Yona Friedman
USA
Mayor Jaime Lerner
Curitiba, Brazil
Rozanov Evgueni Grigorievich
Russian Federation
John F.C. Turner
United Kingdom
Winner
Country
Ministry of Housing and Human Settlements
Costa Rica
Urban Development Authority
Singapore
Cooperative Housing Foundation
USA
National Housing Development Authority
Sri Lanka
Housing and Urban Development Corporation
India
Housing Development Finance Corporation
India
Sengki Land-sharing Project
Thailand
Projet Assistance IECOSAT
Burundi
Institute for Building Materials
Viet Nam
Tamako Nakanishi
Japan
Arch. Leandro Quintana Uranga
Venezuela
Winner
Country
Lord Scarman
United Kingdom
Tangshan Municipal Government
China
Construyamos
Colombia
Craterre
France
Stone Town Conservation and Development Authority
United Republic of Tanzania
Human Settlement Foundation
Thailand
American Society of Clinical Oncology, Chicago, Illinois
USA
Winner
Country
Otto Koenigsberger
United Kingdom
Hassan Fathy
Egypt
Lauchlin Currie
USA
Habitat for Humanity International
USA